Auvreria (19 page)

He started crying as Aurora wrapped her arms around hi
m. She whispered, “It’s not your fault, young one. We make mistakes, and we learn from them. If you forget your fake troubles about what the evil spirits have done, I will ask the supreme soul to give you another chance in another birth. You will find your true self if you want to change your ways.”

The boy smiled and returned to the skies
.

“Anelia, you gave the people hope and faith in victory,
and as a result, we have won. Your perspective on the world has changed, my sweet flower. You put your desires aside and sacrificed yourself for the good of others. You have proved your love for everyone. This love that comes within is the connection of the universe: the ninth element. Good actions, respect, true friendship, devotion, and trust guide our path. This can heal all wounds.”

I sensed my love
, and I was healed. I used Lumifale to restore the beauty of the place. “Sister, will you leave us forever? The end of your journey is here, as the guardian of the ninth element. Will I ever see you again?”

“My soul will unite with Auvreria forever,” she replied. “The simple truth is we are all
in unity; however, we cannot see it. I will never leave anyone. I will be united with the supreme soul to be present in you, in the Three Divisions, and in the universe. I will raise the eight suns to start a new dawn with the new guardian of the power. Do not be afraid. Bloom beautifully like the deep blue orchid. I will always be with you. Forever flows, it never destroys. Hold your eternal love in your soul, never let evil befall your heart. Never will our ways part. Forever always flows, my sweetheart.”

These were her last words as she took
up her celestial flute and started playing. She stood in the center of the golden symbol on the podium. The heavens harmonized with her. From the dark horizon rose the eight suns to align perfectly with the lines of the elements on the sign.

I held Grealn’s
hands as the horizon became lighter and lighter. Aurora stopped playing her flute, yet the sound continued. She raised her hands to the central point of the universe, the point of no dimension. The lines represented the first dimension. The circle surrounding them was the second. A sphere arose, and that was the third. All the other dimensions came in their complexity.

The eight suns shone with pure light that enveloped the skies and the valley. I watched Aurora become one with the supreme soul of the universe. I did not
blink until all I could see was light. I did not say goodbye—there was no need.

Arthaesia, my home

Two years later

I am writing this book for the library archives of Almag. Being in battles, attending festivals, having overseas adventures, studying the Arthaesian writing system for hours, exploring the land, enhancing my magic, and finding answers left me no time to write down what happened. I am sitting right now in Almag’s library in one of the highest towers of the Great Castle of Arthaesia. I come here every day to write diary entries of my past by using the element of time.

At
the present day, Arthaesia is thriving in its Second Golden Age. Comparing it to Earth history, I would call it the Renaissance. The grand castle was fully rebuilt. Port Archalypsis became a major trade center. The Crossroads of the Valleys became a great military power. The secret hideout of Clamoor enhanced its living conditions considerably. Biriun was never found. The elven kingdom of Eofea allied itself with Arthaesia despite its century-long war.

Mortver received its justice: the third eyes of the dragons of Auvreria
sent most of the magicians to the Astral world. The remaining few planned their revenge in the ruins of Maldelsoul’s castle. I had a curious feeling that something would arise again, someday.

Magdalion and Silvius used their various skills to control Arthaesia. Silvius took hold of the military and noble families. He became known as King Golden Lion of the Sun in the legends. Magdalion was involved in the economy and trade. He was known as King Silver Lion of the Moon.

The Tree of Life disappeared. Elfeon probably shielded it for safety. I had one more chance to visit the Cave of Livaunde. I asked the spirit to show me my powers again; I felt something different about them. Wonder overtook my soul as I opened my palms with the blue, glowing marks of Auvreria. A pure white orchid appeared, emanating sapphire lights. Aurora had given me her power of the white dragon. I wondered why she let me raise the sun from the valley in the Northlands, when she could have done it and not stayed there for sixteen years. Probably she wanted me to discover my own power where she could help me.

The spirit of
Livaunde told me that Maldelsoul was locked in the lower Astral, or what people on Aethra call hell. I found out that Aurora and I travelled to the middle Astral, the path between hell and heaven. Aurora has told of each soul reaching the higher Astral when they reached the summit of their journey. I was happy that she was in heaven with the supreme soul and all the others.

Fensagenia became my best friend for life.
We went back to her village, all restored now. She forgave her tired mother and discovered hidden talents inside her. She has very powerful magic, too. The four of us (Fensagenia, Zekreon, Grealn, and me) had fun as we experienced life in a new way. Zekreon and Grealn went back to their village to make amends for their past. Their surviving relatives were content to have them back in the family. All went well, and the four of us have become the closest friends.

I have been spending time with my real parents as I learn about Arthaesia.
Liliamera took me to Eofea to tell Elfeon’s family the news about his destiny. Orenelius helped me with the studies I had to undertake in the castle. Almag showed me all the books I could learn from. Together, we grew a new garden around the stone circle of Auvreria where I arrived on my second journey to Arthaesia. He has played the flute for me. I loved it, but it was not as melodic and beautiful as Aurora’s playing. I miss her once in a while. I could not think of having another dragon as my companion, so I rode Elfeon’s flying horse when I needed to travel to other kingdoms.

The Golden Circle expanded.
Its members became lords, leaders, and generals. We gave children inspiration to become like us, the group of people who cared for others. I was excused from my duties to visit Aethra. I saw my parents in Italy and played with young Nicolas. They were proud of my actions. I was proud of them, too. I had a wish that someday Nicolas could learn my secret and come to Arthaesia. Mortver’s influence on Earth had disappeared, and balance was restored.

With good comes evil; with evil comes good. Neither wins, equilibrium
returns. The battle of the universe to save Auvreria helped me discover myself. My existence and everyone else’s are important. We are all part of the world and the battle between opposing forces. This is who we are. We should never give up on something we want to turn into reality. We are all a unity, the unity of the universe.

There are millions of ways to tell a story
; however, there are only a few words to tell its meaning. During sunset my powers faded. Through the night I stayed strong. At sunrise I arose with purity of heart and soul.

From
the balcony I have seen Arthaesia’s beautiful night landscape. I have looked into the heavens radiant with colors. I have heard Aurora’s flute song flow through the skies. I will never forget Aurora, the eternal guardian of Auvreria. She will always be part of me as a sister. I cannot say this is the end. Our path and destiny never terminates, but forever flows through the existence of the universe.